Women in the workplace

Recent research (1) suggests that despite “tremendous gains” made by women in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, it is still a man’s world when it comes to the question of WHO is in the boardrooms of British businesses.

Report by Nustran, Gill and Tracy as part of the project 4 classes 4 pays.

Breaking into the boardroom

The Facts
Indeed, since 2005, the number of women in FTSE 100 boardrooms has barely increased, standing at just 12.5% in 2011. Experts suggest that it could take as long as 70 years to redress the balance between men and women at the very highest levels of business.

Quote Me

Miriam Gonzáles Durántez, a prominent international lawyer and wife of Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, states that “the introduction of quotas is the only way to overcome the shortage of women in business and politics” and “Chief Executive Officers must take their social responsibility seriously.” However, opinions remain divided on the question of quotas a a means of addressing inequality.

Breaking through the ‘Glass Ceiling’

Despite the apparent ‘lack of diversity’ at the top of UK firms, almost 100 women WERE appointed as directors of Britain’s largest companies in 2011 – the highest number in a single year. Appointments include Stacey Cartwright joining Glaxo Smith-Kline’s board.

In a special interview for ’Vivre en Aquitaine’, Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the national charity ‘Alzheimer’s Research UK’, talks to our reporter Gill Walsh :

Pride and Prejudice

Women continue to scale the heights in professions such as medicine and academia, but their progress has ‘stalled’ in the corporate world of business. Ilene Long, chief executive of Catalyst, blames “entrenched sexism”, claiming that talented female executives are being overlooked in favour of male counterparts, who are more routinely mentored by their companies for top jobs. Yet, 60% of university graduates today are women and their numbers have almost reached saturation point at business and law schools.

Sources

1. Study commissioned by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, 2011.

2. Daily Mail City 11 January 2012 "Women breaking into boardrooms"

3. The Times 27 December 2011 "Women’s gains in boardroom lag behind other professions"

Women in the workplace

Recent research (1) suggests that despite “tremendous gains” made by women in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, it is still a man’s world when it comes to the question of WHO is in the boardrooms of British businesses.

Report by Nustran, Gill and Tracy as part of the project 4 classes 4 pays.

Breaking into the boardroom

The Facts
Indeed, since 2005, the number of women in FTSE 100 boardrooms has barely increased, standing at just 12.5% in 2011. Experts suggest that it could take as long as 70 years to redress the balance between men and women at the very highest levels of business.

Quote Me

Miriam Gonzáles Durántez, a prominent international lawyer and wife of Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, states that “the introduction of quotas is the only way to overcome the shortage of women in business and politics” and “Chief Executive Officers must take their social responsibility seriously.” However, opinions remain divided on the question of quotas a a means of addressing inequality.

Breaking through the ‘Glass Ceiling’

Despite the apparent ‘lack of diversity’ at the top of UK firms, almost 100 women WERE appointed as directors of Britain’s largest companies in 2011 – the highest number in a single year. Appointments include Stacey Cartwright joining Glaxo Smith-Kline’s board.

In a special interview for ’Vivre en Aquitaine’, Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the national charity ‘Alzheimer’s Research UK’, talks to our reporter Gill Walsh :

Pride and Prejudice

Women continue to scale the heights in professions such as medicine and academia, but their progress has ‘stalled’ in the corporate world of business. Ilene Long, chief executive of Catalyst, blames “entrenched sexism”, claiming that talented female executives are being overlooked in favour of male counterparts, who are more routinely mentored by their companies for top jobs. Yet, 60% of university graduates today are women and their numbers have almost reached saturation point at business and law schools.

Sources

1. Study commissioned by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, 2011.

2. Daily Mail City 11 January 2012 "Women breaking into boardrooms"

3. The Times 27 December 2011 "Women’s gains in boardroom lag behind other professions"